Important Information for Future Teachers about
Criminal Background Checks

If you plan to earn teacher certification, you will be expected to
have a criminal background check at several stages of your academic
program, which may include:

Field placements for entry-level courses (such as EDUC 280)

Extended volunteer assignments

Application to some teacher education programs

Application for a student teaching assignment

Employment as a teacher, substitute, or paraprofessional

Field placement for entry level courses and volunteering:

All public schools are required to ask for a background check for
anyone who regularly visits a K-12 school building. Students enrolled in
EDUC 280-Teacher Education Practicum, should be prepared to present a
completed Internet Criminal history Access Tool (ICHAT) report to their
practicum site at the beginning of their assignment. Instructions for
conducting this online background check may be found by clicking
here.

Application to upper level Education programs and student teaching:

At the time of application to teacher education programs you must
disclose any misdemeanors or felony convictions as well as
college/university disciplinary actions. Failure to disclose an offense
may result in expulsion from the program. Some universities may
require a Federal background check (fingerprint) when you apply to the
program, but all universities require the Federal background
check prior to student teaching. Most university teacher education
programs will review each incident on a case-by-case basis to determine
whether the student should be admitted or allowed to continue in the
program. Final approval of a recommendation made by the university is
granted only by the Michigan Department of Education.

Offenses of concern:

Universities are required to report to the Michigan Department of
Education any teacher candidate with felony convictions and/or certain
misdemeanors involving violence, drugs, or child abuse. Certification
may be denied if a person has been convicted, as an adult, of a felony
or any of the following:

Criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree

Attempt to commit criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree

Child abuse in the third or fourth degree

Attempt to commit child abuse in the third or fourth degree

Cruelty, torture, or indecent exposure involving a child

Delivery of a narcotic to a minor or student or within 1000 feet
of school property

Breaking and entering

Knowingly allowing a minor to consume or possess alcohol or
controlled substance at a social gathering

Accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for an immoral
purpose

Larceny from a vacant dwelling

Assault: assault and battery

Assault: infliction of serious injury

Selling or furnishing alcoholic liquor to a person less than 21
years of age

These other conviction areas are also a concern of the State of
Michigan:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Illegal use of firearms

Minor in possession of/consumption of alcohol

Obscenity/pornography violations

Other acts of violence

Possession/use of illegal substances

Shoplifting

Students with any of the above misdemeanors should consult with the
teacher education program of their transfer university for advisement on
how to proceed.